Dimethyl Disulfide (DMDS)

Dimethyl Disulfide (DMDS) is the most commonly used chemical for sulfiding the hydrotreating and hydrocracking catalysts used to produce clean fuels. Hydroprocessing catalysts contain metal oxides that must be converted to the active metal sulfide form before they will desulfurize hydrocarbon feeds. The activation process begins with the introduction of DMDS into the reactor along with hydrogen at a temperature of 360F or higher. Under these conditions, DMDS rapidly decomposes, forming the H2S that is required to convert the oxides to metal sulfides.

DMDS is also used to passivate furnace tubes in ethylene crackers, although Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS) is often used in this application.

DMDS is ideal for sulfiding because of its high sulfur content (68%) and its decomposition temperature range of 360-400F. At this temperature level, it is much easier to control the reaction exotherm that occurs as metal oxides are transformed to their corresponding sulfide form.

An additional advantage of DMDS is the by-product of its decomposition is simple methane (CH4), which will not cause premature coking of the catalyst bed. Other sulfiding chemicals, such as polysulfides (TBPS), can cause excess coking during the sulfiding process due to the by-products formed when they decompose to H2S.

In summary, the advantages of sulfiding with DMDS are:

High Sulfur Content (68%)

By-products will not cause premature coking

Low Decomposition Temperature

Chosen by Catalyst Manufactures for Activity Testing and Catalyst Development

Lowest total cost

Contact us to discuss the optimum sulfiding agent for your application.